THE HOLLARD JUMA GIVES SOWETO ROCKS FRESH WHEELS

In the build up to this year’s Hollard Jozi Urban Mountain Bike Adventure, race organisers, in collaboration with KTM and Cycle Lab, organised something special for some of the race’s most dedicated riders.

Two Riders from Soweto Rocks, a township-based riding clinic, Busi Msimango and Linda “Musa” Nzima, were the lucky recipients of brand new KTM and Fuji mountain bikes.

At the Cycle Lab headquarters in Fourways, Russell Willis, Mark Castel and Cycle Lab founder Andrew McLean were on sight to handover the brand new bikes to their ecstatic new owners.

Posing for pictures beside her brand-new KTM full suspension bike, a beaming and clearly emotional Busi couldn’t contain her joy. “I’m lost for words. When I got here, I was nervous and sweating up a storm. When Castel said to come over, I was expecting a basic pedestrian bike. I definitely wasn’t expecting a dual suspension KTM bicycle”, she laughed. “It’s just incredible and I’m so grateful to KTM, Cycle Lab and of course the Hollard JUMA for this opportunity”.

The second recipient, Linda Nzima, affectionately known as “Musa”, has come a long way on his riding journey before today and is now one step closer to realising his dream of being a professional mountain bike rider.

Musa took an interest in riding at the tender age of 9 however, for kids in the township, bikes are not easy to come by and the young rider often had to make do with whatever bike he could get his hands on. Busi would see Musa riding around the streets of Soweto on an old, clunky bicycle and after an in-depth conversation about his dreams and ambitions, she decided to take him under her wing. When Mark and Russell contacted Busi to let her know that they could potentially sponsor a rider with a brand-new bike, she knew just the person.

“I was a bit nervous about today. I have been cycling for 14 years and I have never got anything like this before. I got something I didn’t expect It’s a R20 000 bike – I don’t know anyone would do something like that for me”, an emotional Musa commented. “There are many youngsters who can’t afford this sport and the equipment. For me, they really brought me something that will change my life. I really appreciate it. I really appreciate them.”

For Cycle Lab founder, Andrew McLean, it has always been about changing lives. “For us, it’s easy to hand over bike but it’s not always easy to give it to the right people. With the Hollard JUMA, they had identified the right people and it was a partnership that had already worked for us in the past, so we were more than happy to get involved”

And in the end for Andrew, the experience was definitely worthwhile. “It was wonderful to see a young lady get bike and just burst into tears. She was so passionate and excited about the opportunity. One of our mottos is that ‘bikes can change lives’, so to see their excitement, I have no doubt that this was worthwhile. Hopefully we will see them for many years to come riding their bikes and being a great ambassadors not only for us but the Hollard JUMA as well”.

For Busi and Soweto Rocks, the new bikes will mean so much more than just this event. The new bikes mean she will now be able to get more kids into riding and offer them training. “I hope Soweto Rocks gets to place where we can get riding to township schools and more importantly, to get them off of the streets”.

In the immediate future though, is the Hollard JUMA, and both riders are extremely excited for the challenge. “I’m registered and ready for it!”, said Musa who was just rearing to go on his new ride.

Busi is wasting no time either with her preparations declaring, “I’m going to start doing my technical courses and going to MTB skills clinics. I’ve also teamed up with Ride Like A Girl and we’re going to start doing MTB skills clinics in Soweto.”

The Hollard Urban Adventure Weekend takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of June. The Urban Adventure Weekend is the setting for the Hollard JURA on Saturday 2nd June and the Hollard JUMA on Sunday 3rd June. If you have what it takes do the Hollard Double and defeat the city on bike and on foot, then head over to www.joziadventure.com and book your spot now.

For more information about the Hollard JUMA/JURA and Urban Adventure Weekend, follow us online or keep it locked on Hot 91.9, our official radio partner who will also be providing the live entertainment for what is sure to be an awesome weekend in the city.